A/N – Thanks for the reviews and thoughts !
Chapter 15
Lisa was surprised when she turned to Ty by the small cozy seating area that was part of the guest suite. He smiled, held out his arms and hugged her.
"I'm so sorry Lisa, I was rude, it's hardly what you deserve", she smiled at him when they were apart. Then he continued his though "this is starting to get a bit overwhelming. Scott, surgeries, what else am I about to hear ?"
Jack who had walked in during the hug and apology smiled while putting down the bottle and glasses.
"Well I hope you hear that she loves you son, the real deep down stuff, not well, you know, just the uh, reacquainting part as she puts it."
"Seriously Jack ?"
"What I mean to say Ty is I think taking the time to see her life now might be more important at this point than dwelling on what's done. It can't be changed. It's not the gift wrapping that matters son it's what's inside, Amy loves Ty, she's been pretty open about that."
"And Ty loves Amy Jack, I'm not that naïve. It's why I'm here."
"Sayin' ain't doin' GG, one of Jackson's mottos."
"Three kids Jack, I swear when I heard Maddie from the porch say mom I almost blacked out. Am I crazy but are they exactly like her now, that's not 15 year old Amy that I can see in those twins, they're bold, they don't have her old timidity, they've got a harder edge."
"I have to admit Ty, they turned my head. They're beautiful and well mannered. They're like Georgie was and not and like Amy and not. It's like they've layered this Amy onto them. They're teenagers but I guess it's what she said, they're proud of who they are and surprisingly very much like they were raised in Alberta if you ask me."
Lisa had poured them each a drink.
"Nice digs" Ty said looking around. "She does make them homey, they all sort of remind me of Heartland."
"This is good bourbon too" Lisa added. "Heartland with temperature control, bathrooms and endless hot water, like a dream come true."
"Come on Lis."
"In case you haven't noticed Jack there is an abundance of everything there isn't at Heartland" she said laughing.
"Amy discovered on demand hot water and radiant heating, she went on and on, it sounded almost that given a choice she'd take the hot water over me at one point." Ty was laughing at the expression on Jack's face. "The guest cottage has 4 bathrooms, it's almost confusing."
"I saw this switch on the wall and flicked it, she's got towel warmers, remember she would throw a towel in the dryer before showering ? She also does have a very good eye to homey and comfortable. Any way, assuming you haven't been on the phone with Lily, who's mom #3 Ty ?" Lisa asked getting back to business.
At about the same time as Ty began relating the story of his 40 hours in Erie, PA with Cheryl Parmenter and his trip to the Pegasus Center, Trevor Margolies, Amy's attorney was waiting to connect with Dr. Rollins at the center.
"I know that picture" Jack said.
"Yeah, it's the same one in the bookcase with Amy wearing that ridiculous coat like Marion and the hat dangling on her back. The receptionist, Jane, I think her name was, speculated that the horse was Pegasus and that Marion was the founder, at least that was the rumor."
"So this Cheryl gave you a lot to think about." Lisa asked after listening.
"Well, it's kind of a weird story when you tell it to someone who didn't live it. Through a bunch of it she kept verifying Amy's age which got me to thinking about a lot. I guess watching her work you sort of forgot she was so young. She worked hard and kept Heartland open, she was 15 when I left that first time, the twins age now, they look so young. Why in the hell did you even let me near her Jack ?"
Jack laughed "Well to be honest I did warn you away, I don't know Ty, I wasn't happy about a lot of things back then but she dressed me down good the few times I was ready to kick you the hell out that first year."
"Anything else Cheryl have to say ?" Lisa pushed not wanting to be distracted.
"A lot actually but being here now, one of the things she said got me thinking. When she got that check from Ahmed and she wanted to use it to buy that property, I made a big deal about being the man and providing for her because no one did for me and mom, I said it to Amy. That was part of it after Europe too, where I would fit into her life. Suddenly we had a lot of money and the reality is, it was all because of her. Sure Charger won, and I know Lisa that you said that any investment that turns out well was a good investment but who are we kidding, she won that race. The check for Zeus, her salary in Europe. The truth is Jack I always considered it all your generosity but really, Amy earned a lot of that money for the ranch those eight years and all of it for several up front. She gave up college to work at Heartland. She'd been providing for me all along. I would never have got through college and into vet school without her emotional support, she pushed me Jack all for that dream."
"She never felt that way Ty and don't you mean this dream ?" Jack whispered. "I wonder if we all didn't forget her contribution to Heartland just a little over the years."
"I know she didn't begrudge anything." Ty answered softly.
"And Europe, Ahmed and her leaving ?"
"We talked about it, I don't know why Amy never told me about the kiss but I told you years ago and Lou and Georgie have since told me about her meltdowns and Lou's advice to remember Chase, I believe her when she said he was delusional, I always have, I needed to know I could at least provide her with something, it seemed like a grand life she enjoyed."
"That holding her back crap got in the way, when he said you weren't good enough for her."
"Look at this place Jack."
"I've seen it Ty and everything else, including those kids, she doesn't think you're not good enough for her, she never has."
"Would she have done this if I had run away with her or stayed at Heartland ?"
"No one knows Ty but I can tell you this, I'm 86 closing in on 87, those things from the past, the decisions we made are done, we can't go back to them, this place and that family exists and they're not going away. Amy regrets some of her decisions, no doubt, but listening to her, she's put them behind her. This is her reality now. You know Ty, I can ask the same questions. She came home and wanted to change things. I pretty much shot them down. Bryce told me that the first thing she did after their first rescue was buy the lumber to make the 12 horse barn into that 36 family barn."
"Have either of you asked her about the leaving ?"
Lisa answered first, she was slow and measured and they both could hear the strain in her voice "that moment when I saw her on that monitor, when my gut told me it was her, I promised myself that if I could ever just hold her once more I wouldn't care, that I would take every second as precious to me, so no Ty, I don't really care right now, something drove her to it and one day when the time is right I might ask but not now."
"Jack ?"
"Well Ty, my truth is I'm scared to hear her say it, what each of our parts must have been in what had to be a devastating decision for her. I don't know that I ever want to hear it."
Ty nodded "Tell me about White Horse Lisa."
"I'll tell you my part and Jack can tell his but yours, you'll have to get from her Ty, it's not either of our places."
"Fine, I respect that."
"I don't think this is news at this stage but White Horse is Pegasus. Amy knew Haddie as an Alpaca breeder down here and offered her White Horse. She was working for someone else at the time and grabbed it. She would run the Alpacas and Amy would set up a horse procurement and training center in Alberta, a good source of horse flesh. They did rescues, auctions and the like and those horses were prepped for Pegasus."
"Ok, that fits with the Erie center's horses."
"Jack ?"
"You remember a few years ago we lost a buyer for a lot of horses right before September ?"
"Sure, we, uhm you,"
"You can say we Ty, it's Ok, you are a partner in the business."
"The taxes and operating loan money."
"That's it and then we found a buyer that dug us out with a little extra ?"
"White Horse." Ty said thoughtfully "Which is when we sold Chance."
"That happened twice, they bought stock from us twice when things were getting rough."
"The bad winter."
"Yup."
Lisa started next. "It was different in terms of me unfortunately, when the deal fell through with Flyer a few years ago things were bad. She told me had it been any other horse other than a clone she would have bought it."
"I can see that with this Amy for sure."
"She knows her mind." Lisa said smiling.
"Oh yeah she does. It's uhmmm, hell it's exciting."
"Let's leave it at that." Jack said stopping him.
"That's fine Jack." Ty was smiling and Lisa patted his hand.
"She did tell me that the offer I think I mentioned to you at the time, for the sale of Toulon, the one I couldn't bring myself to take even if it was more than fair ?"
Ty nodded "hers ?"
Lisa nodded back, "she also told me and I have no reason to doubt her, she was willing to buy Fairfield. She actually offered to have the Foundation take care of it for me in perpetuity as a rehab and retirement facility."
"You considering it ?"
"I like the idea so it's certainly bears considering. We have time."
"And the surgeries ?"
"That's her part Ty, it's not our place except for Solomon. Scott called Amy and 48 hours later was on the phone with the surgeon's here going through the surgical plan."
"What's the point of all this Lisa ?"
"You are truly hopeless if you can't see ?"
"It's obvious she wants me to work with her, I have a life in Hudson."
"Jack he's almost beyond hope, she wants you to be her partner Ty, to stand by her side, to be with her, be a father to her children and grow old together. You have a small house, her family and a partnership in a business that bores you. Maybe this could offer a bit of a challenge at least something to consider, an opportunity to work with her to be happy ? That's three mothers son, three, should we call Lily ?"
"Marry her just like that ?"
"I haven't heard the work marriage yet and I really don't think Amy cares about the word, the ceremony or the time frame Ty, from what I can tell she doesn't care about marriage at all, I would say she'd like an eventual commitment of some type, she has children. She seems just tired of being without you." Jack said.
"Go talk to her and agree to whatever she wants as a deal. I assume it's a cooling off period for the next few days after you talk or while you talk, and don't demand everything at once, take the time to listen and think. Ask don't confront, she's answered every question I've put to her Ty."
"I've promised to listen and she doesn't seem ready to cool off Lisa."
Lisa laughed, Jack smiled "Ok, simmer down hotshot."
"Use that then, she's a smart girl, she's learned what's important, the connection between you two is evident to everyone Ty." Lisa said patting his knee.
"What did she say Lisa, 'in the end is all the bullshit worth more than holding the man or woman you love in your arms.'"
"You think that's all it really is Jack ?"
"This mom here and I are living proof of it Ty. The cowboy and the debutante. We've been very happy for almost nine years and most of our time together before that. Fairfield and Heartland, none of it matters more than us.
Lisa leaned over and kissed Jack "Go have dinner Ty, no one including her is expecting a wedding while you're here. It's not easy for her to go slow these days, she wasn't ready for this either and she's forced forward by a wave."
"In what looks like a very expensive endless pool."
"If you let her money stand in the way of your happiness son then you'll never be happy. You'll just keep searching." Jack said squeezing his shoulder.
"By the way, have you two heard anything about her teaching at the vet school ?"
"Amy ? She barely finished high school." Jack laughed
"Nonetheless, Bert Koenig, maybe the best equine orthopedist around and certainly top 5 just begged her to please attend some faculty meetings and brought her next semesters class schedule, her actual class schedule."
"Imagine that, Professor Fleming." Jack said with an air of pride.
"That'd freak Georgie out, imagine her walking into a class and Amy getting up." Ty laughed, "I should go. Thanks both of you. He leaned over and kissed Lisa with a little hug and walked by Jack where he stopped and put his hand on his shoulder and squeezed. He took a step then and turned back and as Lisa smiled at him he leaned over and kissed Jack's head before leaving the room.
"Hi Ty, all done in there ?"
"Yeah Betty all good, uh Amy ?"
Betty handed over the iPad on the table and opened a picture. Ty looked down and smiled. There was a tent set up in front of a stall. Amy, Cars, Katie and JT were sitting in front of an electric lantern. They had dimmed the lights and closed the doors most of the way.
"That other horse is Merlin, JT's, I guess to keep Buck happy."
"She's still in there, I'll leave the basket on the porch Ty, enjoy your dinner."
"Thank you Betty, yours as well."
Ty headed off and stopped at the mostly closed entrance to the rescue barn to look in. He stood at the door watching Amy sit with the boys and several others that wandered over. Merlin was eating some hay, they had set down. Buckle was calm in his stall.
"Oh Ty, I'm glad I caught you, has Amy mentioned Wednesday to you ?"
"Uhm no Bert, not specifically."
"Well, I'm sure she will, anyway it's kid's day, a constant stream of kids and their pets and problems around here that can be pretty wild. Anyway, it's all hands on deck, spaying, neutering, the works. A dozen vets and techs, it's a madhouse but the kids love it and we keep their pets happy and healthy. You in ?"
"Absolutely, just let me know where and when."
"Sandra will let you know, she coordinates things, oh and if you're interested we have a mystery to solve coming in a few days, dressage horse that fouls up going to his left or right, who knows."
"I'll be around Bert, thanks."
"I've got to head home, Meg's already texted twice, I'll get you that file when it's complete, have a good night Ty."
Ty wandered over to medical and walked in and over to one of the stalls. He looked at the iPad and had no idea how to call up the horses chart.
"Need help Dr. Borden ?"
"His chart ?"
"Oh, all the iPads attached to stalls are keyed to have that chart on them, here" she said tapping the screen. The tabs along the top take you to various tests, doctor's notes and back here the care charts."
"This sling ?"
"Amy and Bert designed the sling system and the transport. They modified an auto plant system I think, you know to swing engine blocks and the like. There a small one in the garage for engines. It's pretty amazing and when they're open next door it'll be used to transport the horses. They never have to touch the ground. Anyway Booty here is a German Warmblood and a jumper who had surgery on his rear right the other day, he had a fracture and some arterial damage. The sling allows him to be comfortable with the leg extension without the discomfort of having to put weight on it. As it heals we can adjust the pressure we allow by degrees, ease him back into his weight and they really don't seem to mind and we can allow them some movement to keep them sane."
"His prognosis ?"
"My opinion is good bordering on excellent. The truth is whether he jumps again is something we'll have to wait for and that's Amy's department. No pain and a solid repair is what we strive for. The fracture wasn't extensive but the blood flow was cause for concern. We did our part well, how well ? That comes later, I think Amy plays a large part in getting them ready for reintroduction, there are no time barriers. Booty won't jump for at least 6 months if I know her but if he can jump again, Amy will be the one to get him to do it."
"Where do you do your surgeries now ?"
"There's one in the back but Bert prefers out here. Any two stalls can be closed off to create a sterile environment. We all can't wait for the Surgery center to open."
"I can imagine, can I get to the rescue Barn through there ?"
"Yup just down that tunnel."
"I'm sorry, your name ?"
"Barbara, Barb actually."
"Call me Ty Barb and I promise to try and remember."
"I know what it's like, this place can crawl with people."
Ty wandered in and sat down next to Amy who leaned over for Ty's arm around her waist.
"Hey Dr. Borden, you meet Cars ?"
"In the heat of the moment Jackson, Cars, it's good to know you."
"You too sir, thanks for helping out with Buck, I hate it when he's sick."
"I know the feeling Cars, it's never fun when someone you love isn't well."
"Amy, mom says to call when you get a chance."
"I will Cars, you all set for the weekend ?"
"Yeah, they'll bring Crater in the morning, will we have horses too ?"
"Sorry bud, not unless you're jumping or performing, but you've been to Saratoga, you and JT can tear it up."
"And Sandra and Bryce said I'm wrangling Wednesday."
"Oh Ty, Wednesday, I meant to tell you."
"Bert mentioned it and I'd love to be a part Ames."
"You're a good guy Dr. Borden we should go fishing."
"I look forward to it Jackson, maybe with GG, he taught me you know."
"Cool, sure, I love fishing with GG."
"JT, you'd fish with a zombie horde." Amy said laughing and starting to get up "Come on Ty, let's get Merlin here off and have some dinner. I'll be in the Guest Cottage Jackson."
"Ok mom, see you in the morning."
"I'll stop back to check on you guys and Buck later."
"I've got them Amy."
"Thanks Carlo."
Amy kissed them both and walked out with Ty and Merlin.
"Barb showed me a little of what one of those stalls can do Amy."
"Yeah that took some trial and error. Bert and I went nuts figuring out the sling system."
After stalling Merlin and picking up the food they settled at the guest house.
"Ty, start the grill and I'll get the salad ready. Beer or wine ?"
"I'll grab a beer Ames."
He sat at the counter when the grill was heating and watched her work on the salad.
"Something on your mind Ty ?
"How much money do you have ?"
She smiled at him "That's actually not that easy a question to answer, there's me and the family, the ranch corporation and the Foundation. I'm not trying to be evasive Ty but it amounts to at least 10's of millions over 20 if that helps, the properties are where it gets tough and what I own and what the Foundation owns. I'm donating a little under 2 million dollars to the foundation and another charity this week so it changes."
"Thank you, I wasn't sure you'd answer. 2 million dollars ?"
"About 1.7 actually I think. I figured you'd ask about the money and I'm not ashamed of it Ty, it really doesn't effect most of my life. Anyway we could ask Charlie but if you want an exact number you have to pick a point in time."
"You don't find how you live to be extravagant ?"
"Come on Ty, I'm not jaded" she said laughing, "flying in private jets and taking a chopper into the city is certainly extravagant. But my home isn't and yes it's large, yes the medical barn is a wonder but what do you expect ? I drive an unmarked truck, wear my jeans and boots raw and get upset when I stain a hat. I tried to explain to Lisa that this isn't a good week to do this. I don't go to the city or charity events. I stay here Ty, on the ranch unless I have no choice. This is my world and I prefer it comfortable. I work hard, we all do. Today was the first day off I've taken in 6 years.
"I've heard that and you've mentioned it, thanks by the way, it was a good day."
"Saratoga will be extravagant Ty, outfit changing, lifestyle judging and old money pretense but the charity is important to me, the girls want to jump and perform and the evenings after the festivities are relaxing, the jumping is always fun and I love watching my girls do liberty. Unfortunately we go representing Pegasus, both the ranch and the foundation which is heavily connected to the charity and so we will dress and act the part and make the best of a slightly uncomfortable weekend by surrounding ourselves with people we like."
"Anyway, the day's not over yet Ty but hold the good day thought. Would you mind if I showered and changed while you get the steaks on ?"
"Of course not Ames, go ahead and I'll get this stuff done."